'Tis the season for giving

Crowley County Correctional Facility

Comment

By Andrea Flores

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By Andrea Flores

Posted Dec. 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM

By Andrea Flores
Posted Dec. 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM

ORDWAY

Typically when we see the word "inmate," we think negative thoughts. At Crowley County Correctional Facility (CCCF), in Olney Springs, there are at least 10 inmates who are doing good deeds. The 10 inmates all work in the Laundry Department of the prison. This year they provided over 60 backpacks, made out of their unserviceable greens along with a mouse, crocheted by them, to go inside each back pack, to the children at CDS in Manzanola and Kids Campus in Ordway. On Thursday, Dec. 19, Susan Schulz, CCCF laundry supervisor, delivered several backpacks to Kids Campus in Ordway. This is just one of many items the inmates have provided for the students since 2004. Some of the other projects they have given to the children include picture pockets, aprons, painting T-shirts and learning books. The inmates decide as a group what project they will do and they begin working on the project in August. "They start in August, because they still have to keep up on their laundry," said Schulz. To qualify to be a part of the inmate team, the inmates cannot have any write-ups for an entire year. Not only do they provide gifts for the children, they also provide gifts for the residents of the Crowley County Nursing Home and Fowler Health Care. Every month they send birthday cards to the residents. Some of the other projects they have provided include calendars, Christmas stockings, door plaques, crocheted muffs and scarves. Their efforts have put a smile on many faces, young and old alike.